Bed and breakfast operators to convene for annual conference this weekend

Eighty members of the Mississippi and Louisiana Bed and Breakfast Associations open their annual conference Sunday in Natchez.

Meetings will be held at Natchez Convention Center.

The event starts Sunday with a chance for aspiring or new innkeepers to learn about their trade.

On Monday, gardening expert and horticulturist Felder Rushing will give tips on how to effectively use plants to make a bed and breakfast stand out.

Jay Karen, president/CEO of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, will speak Tuesday about new trends in the industry. B&B owners also will learn about how to use the Internet to advance their businesses.

Wednesday will be an innkeeper's cook-off with Celebrity Chef Robert St. John